Page 28 of There’s Trouble Brewing

Mark followed her gaze, his expression shifting from surprise to understanding. “We knew this was bound to happen,” he said, his voice calm but edged with the same frustration Emily felt.

“Not tonight,” Emily replied, feeling the weight of it all pressing in on her. “Should we do something?”

Mark looked at her, a question in his eyes. She loved that he wanted her to decide. It was her fight, too. “Let’s set her straight,” she said, more bravely than she felt.

Emily felt exposed but determined as they walked toward Birdie. She didn’t want to face this yet, not when everything felt so fragile, but she knew they had to.

Birdie watched their approach with the smug satisfaction of someone who knew she’d be the first to tell the story. “Looks like we have a new pair in town,” the older woman said before they even reached her, her voice carrying a gloating tone.

Mark was the first to speak, his voice steady and respectful. “We’d appreciate some privacy,” he said, his words powerful without raising his voice.

Emily stood beside Mark, unflinching under Birdie’s gaze. “Our relationship isn’t for the gossip mill,” Emilyadded, her eyes meeting the other woman’s eyes with a directness that surprised even her.

For a moment, Birdie seemed taken aback, her confident smirk faltering as she realized they weren’t going to let her win this one. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Then Birdie recovered, her smile turning sharp and mischievous. “If you didn’t want anyone to know, you should have stayed inside,” she said, her words biting but not unexpected. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity as if she was already planning how to twist the story. Emily watched as Birdie turned on her heel and marched off, eager to spread her version of what she’d seen.

“Well, that was fun,” Emily mocked.

Mark slipped his arm around her, pulling her close. “It won’t always be like this,” he promised. “Eventually, the rumors will die down when they have something or someone else to talk about.”

“I know,” Emily said, leaning into him and feeling the tension ease away. Then, an idea came to her. “We should plan something to shift the focus back to the Brave Badge.”

“What do you have in mind?” Mark asked, curiosity and excitement lighting up his eyes as they walked over to his bike.

“An event,” Emily suggested, feeling the thrill of a plan taking shape. “Something big. Something that will get everyone talking about the shop instead of us.” She paused, then smiled, knowing this was the perfect way to connect with Mark’s past and his future. “A charity event for the local search and rescue team.”

Mark's face lit up, and Emily could see that he loved the idea as much as she did. “That’s perfect,” he said, his enthusiasm infectious. “They could really use the support.”

“We could have a launch party,” Emily continued,getting caught up in the excitement. “Invite the whole town. Make it about more than just coffee. Make it about community and helping out the local first responders.”

Mark nodded, and she could see the wheels turning in his mind. “Let’s do it.”

They talked for a while longer, tossing around ideas and building on each other’s energy and passion for the event. She loved being a part of his life, a part of the shop and the community he was building. It made everything seem possible.

A little while later, they arrived at the hotel and made their way to her room. They reached her door, and Emily felt a reluctance to let him go.

“Thanks for everything tonight. I really appreciate you turning the day around for me,” she said, her voice full of gratitude.

“I’m glad you let me,” Mark told her, and she knew he meant it. She could see it in the way he looked at her—like she was part of something he was building, something that mattered.

“I have to admit, I was worried about the inspection tomorrow, but not anymore. I think we’ll be able to handle it together.”

Mark smiled, the kind of smile that made her forget all the reasons she’d ever wanted to keep her distance. “I was thinking the same thing,” he said. “I’m glad you’ll be there with me. We make a great team.” His sincerity made her feel warm and appreciated, like she was exactly where she needed to be.

As they said good night, Emily knew this was just the beginning of something wonderful. She watched Mark walk down the hall, her heart full. She closed the door with a smile, knowing that tomorrow held more than just an inspection. It held the start of something special.

Chapter Ten

Mark nodded toward the trio of baristas as they took orders from the test customers and cleaned surfaces, their every motion displaying well-trained efficiency. Confidence was key, he reminded himself. But as the health inspector, a tall figure with an air of authority, paced around the shop, his eyes scrutinizing, Mark felt his heart drum a rapid beat in his chest.

Emily stood beside the inspector, her voice strong and clear, explaining the setup with unfaltering confidence. Her calm was infectious, and as Mark chimed in with his own steady comments, he felt the pulse of nerves settle into a more familiar rhythm. Together, they looked on as the inspector marked his clipboard, their combined assurance a silent vow that everything would go exactly as planned.

“Thank you for being here,” Mark said as he extended his hand for a firm handshake. The inspector’s face was as serious as the checklist in his hand, eyes bright behind thin glasses.

“Everything seems inorder so far,” the inspector replied, his voice a gravelly monotone. He looked up, one brow arched. “You folks seem well prepared.”

Emily jumped in, her voice confident. “We’ve been working hard. Let us show you around the rest of the place.”

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